Video; Mourn the Past, Strengthen the Present

[oathshackledbird]

Last month, I posted to the Network asking for those who would be willing teach others how to fight--both with and without powers--to contact me. Many of you were willing to share your talents with those who needed them, and I thank you very much for that.

[Diarmuid smiles and bows his head for a moment before continuing.]

However, aside from a few people who I have already helped find teachers, I haven't really heard from anyone who would like to take advantage of the skills that have been offered. I understand that many of you have probably already found teachers amongst those who you know. For those who still might be looking, I thought that I would post a list of those who offered their services so you can take advantage of them should you ever wish to.

I will warn you, though, that most of these people are battle-hardened warriors and do not pull their punches. If you take them up on their offers, please be prepared to work your hardest. They will expect no less and those who you are fighting for deserve no less.

Here is the list. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Since I know most of the people on the list, if you are unsure who you should contact, I will be glad to direct you to a teacher.

Teacher List:

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Spear and sword focused. Duel-wield specialty. Can teach all levels of fighters.
Mayu: Armed Combat. Axe focus.
Cerberus: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Knowledgeable with almost all weapons. Specialty in modern weapons.
Saber of White: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Sword specialty.
Aleph: Teaches armed combat.  Knows melee weapons.  Sword specialty.
Sir Lancelot du Lac: Teaches armed and unarmed combat. Specialty in non-traditional weapons.
Ken Amada:  Teaches armed combat.  Specialty in spears and improvising weapons.
Enoch: Skilled in the use of slings. Also skilled in making them.

If anyone would like to be added to the list, please feel free to let me know. Also, let me know if you would like the information listed by your names altered in anyway or wish to be removed from the list.  This list isn't a static thing by any means.

On a sadder note, for any of you who knew Mami Tomoe, it has come to my attention that she has been sent home. I know she was close to many people. She left me a cookie recipe and since Riki has given us such a good selection of food this month, I can think of no better way to honor her memory than to bake some of the sweets she made so well. Anyone who would like to join me is welcome, though, I cannot guarantee my cookies will be anywhere near as good as the ones she made.  I--

[For a moment it seems like Diarmuid will continue, but after a few seconds, he just shakes his head and ends the feed.]


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(OOC: If anyone would like to meet up with Diarmuid in the kitchen to try making those cookies, feel free to tag your response with Action, Kitchen and cooking shenanigans can be had!)

Comments

[midgarhorizon]

Xion's had it rough with one of her friends disappearing all the time last year... The kid's only two, so it's not surprising she's got issues. I'll talk to her.

[Maybe if he just asked Xion to let Diarmuid help her whenever he couldn't be around... that had a chance of backfiring, though.]

But usually, if she's with Shion he keeps her out of trouble.

[Seriously he has no clue what the kids got up to while he was gone otherwise he wouldn't say that.]

[oathshackledbird]

There has been an upswing in the number of people leaving in the last few months. I am sure that didn't help things any if that is the case, though I expect that run in with Jason didn't help things either.

[Diarmuid shivers slightly remembering the picture Xion had shown him.]

Shion is a very level-headed boy, though he tells me he has anger problems sometimes? I offered to train with him, but he worried he might not be able to stop himself and might accidentally hurt me even though I told him I am far stronger than a normal human and that wasn't very likely.

[Diarmuid pauses suddenly as something Reno said finally hits him.]

Did you just say Xion's only two?

[midgarhorizon]

[Kids. Kids. Why. Just, gonna rub the bridge of his nose now.]

Yeah, she's only two. Shion's eighteen now. Shiva knows I've tried gettin' him to get through that.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid smiles slightly. He knows that gesture. How often did he use it back when he had been frustrated at his own kids?]

I would ask how, but she's not the first I have met here who looks and acts much older than she actually is. I am sure it's a long and complicated story. However, knowing that does help me understand better now why everyone seems so eager to protect her when she seems quite capable of taking care of herself.

You trained them both well.

Do you know what causes him to lose control like that? Anything at all that might be helpful?

[Diarmuid would really like to help, but considering Shion doesn't seem to really know what is going on, he doesn't expect that Reno does either.]

[midgarhorizon]

[Now he's giving Diarmuid the eye, not sure if he wanted to divulge the whole sordid backstory with Ganondorf. Shion had been like that before, but not to the degree he was after.]

Shion's what we'd call a berserker back home. I don't have enough experience with that to teach him how to control it completely. Some... pretty bad stuff happened to him last year and it's made it worse.

[oathshackledbird]

[Fortunately, Diarmuid's not going to pry for for details. Hearing the word 'berserker' is enough.]

A berserker. I should have realized...

[Many would probably question how someone as gentle as Shion seemed could be such a thing, but not Diarmuid. He knows of too many of them. Ireland has had its share of berserkers. His brother is one, for instance. Diarmuid suspects most would be shocked to find out the monster that lurks beneath his brother's laid back and joking personality.]

If you have no objection, I would like to speak to my brother about this. I will name no one, but he is well known for his warp spasms and berserk fits in life. That he did not have more is a sure sign he learned some kind of control--something that could help him keep that urge back. There is no way of knowing if the same will work for Shion, but it is worth a try.

[And if Cu Chulainn cannot help, perhaps Lancelot can, though his berserker nature is much different from what Shion's seems to be.]

[midgarhorizon]

[Taking a long look at Diarmuid, thinking over the offer, Reno finally, reluctantly nods. That was one thing he had learned from his own mentor; when to let go so they could fly.]

There's more techniques out there than worlds, so not giving it a try isn't doing the kid any justice.

[oathshackledbird]

Trying is the only way that anything can get done and that is why it is all I ask of people. I will speak to my brother and see what I can find out.

[Diarmuid notices the reluctance and understands it. In fact, in a way, he is happy to see it. It, along with this conversation, make it very clear that even if Reno has been away a long time, he still takes keeping Shion and Xion safe very seriously.]

You said you wanted to know what kind of man I was. Is there anything specific you wish to ask?

[midgarhorizon]

[Shaking his head at that.]

The kinda things I wanted to know... they're not the kind you can tell someone.

[Intuition was a large factor in Reno's judge of character, even if it could be wrong. Actions worked better with him than words.]

I think I got a handle on it.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid nods in understanding. Trusting instinct is something he knows well. How often has it saved his life in battle or led him to friends he might not have found otherwise?]

After I speak to my brother, would you like me to bring what I learn to you first or should I just take it to Shion when I see him next?

[Reno knows Shion and the circumstances better than Diarmuid does, after all, and he would hate to bring false hope to Shion if what he learns ends up to be something they have already tried.]

[midgarhorizon]

[That's a good question. Knowing the kid, he'd probably need to be talked to before someone else approached him.

Might be best to talk to him first.]

No. It might be better coming from me. The kid's got an gigantic inferiority complex.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid frowns slightly and nods. Shion's lack of confidence is something he has definitely noticed.]

It is a shame too. He is a bright boy with many talents. I wish he would understand his talents are just as valuable those of anyone else. In fact, considering how many of us are fighters and not researchers, his talents are especially valuable right now.

[midgarhorizon]

[The lower bandana twitches just a bit. Was he smiling?]

Yeah, I know. Believe it or not, he's gotten a lot better than he used to be. I get the feeling only one that can convince him he's worth it is Rat.

[oathshackledbird]

[Whether or not Reno is actually smiling under that bandana, Diarmuid does smile at the man's words.]

That is good to hear. Hopefully, he will be able to make even more progress once we find a way to get that rage under control. I'm sure the unknown surrounding it really makes it hard for him to have faith in himself.

If you don't mind me asking, who is Rat? One of his friends here?

[midgarhorizon]

A boy from his world. Seems like Shion's in love. Not a healthy kind, if ya ask me, I got to see the way Rat treated him.

[Because honestly, Shion had really worried Reno with that one conversation... though being a Turk, Reno still knew what a healthy relationship was. Maybe better than most...]

I'm hoping he can get something better outta it if he just stood up for himself.

[oathshackledbird]

[Those words wipe the smile right off of Diarmuid's face. In fact, his lips press into a deep frown.

He knows about unhealthy love. It is never a good thing and to have one so gentle as Shion caught up in it...]

Standing up for oneself is a step, but a relationship like that...

He deserves better.

[midgarhorizon]

Better not open that box of marlboros yet. I tried talking about it with him and he got pretty upset.

[He sighs, rubbing at his hair under the bandanas.]

Anyway, it's been nice talking with ya, but I'd better move.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid is just about to ask what in the world a 'marlboros' is, when Reno mentions leaving. Considering the man wishes to keep his return secret, Diarmuid isn't too surprised that he doesn't want to stay in one place for too long.]

I will contact you once I've had the chance to talk to my brother. If you need to contact me, I'm in Room 4-16 and my mailbox number is #0091. It was good meeting you. Be well until we can meet again.

[midgarhorizon]

I'll remember.

[And Reno nods in acknowledgement for Diarmuid's words before slipping off just as silently as he had arrived.]